Rains affect more than 100 cities and left at least ten dead and 11 injured. Governor Eduardo Leite speaks of the “biggest disaster in the history” of Rio Grande do Sul. Lula visits the state this Thursday. Rio Grande do Sul declared a state of public calamity this Wednesday (01/05) due to the intense rains hitting the state. According to the state Civil Defense, the storms have already left at least ten dead and 11 injured.
The governor of Rio Grande do Sul, Eduardo Leite, stated that the rains, which affect more than 100 cities, already portend the “biggest disaster in the history” of Rio Grande do Sul in terms of material damage. According to Leite, the situation is “worse” than last year, when floods caused more than 50 deaths and extensive material damage.
“Unfortunately, this will be the biggest disaster our state has ever faced. Unfortunately, it will be bigger than what we saw last year,” Leite said at a press conference in the early evening in Porto Alegre.
Devastation
In addition to the dead and injured, according to information from Civil Defense, at least 21 people were still missing as of Wednesday night. Around 19,100 people were affected across the state. Of these, 3,416 had to leave their homes and stay with relatives, friends or in accommodation. Another 1,072 who had nowhere to go were taken into public shelters.
To date, 114 city halls have reported to the state government that they have been affected, whether by flooding, river overflows, landslides or other consequences of the storms. Classes in state public schools were also suspended until this Friday.
The weather forecast is that there is a risk of rain for at least another 36 hours in Rio Grande do Sul.
“We are living in a very critical moment in the state,” Leite added before using expressions such as “war” and “chaos” to refer to the situation. According to the governor, landslides are occurring in much of the state and dams are being monitored, although there is still no evidence of a risk of these structures breaking.
Federal government support
Leite reported having spoken with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who is scheduled to visit the state this Thursday. “More than the support of the federal government and the Armed Forces, I asked for the effective participation and leadership of those who have training for a situation of chaos and war like the one we are facing in the state. These are problems that require special training, training and equipment to carry out the rescues. Therefore, I have appealed to the federal government to have not only the support – which is indeed being offered – but also the effective leadership and coordination of this process, as I do not have ascendancy over the Armed Forces to provide coordination. and organization”, he emphasized.
According to the Ministry of Defense, since this Wednesday, 335 military personnel from the Air Force, Army and Navy have been mobilized to provide support to the population of Rio Grande do Sul, with the help of 12 vessels, five helicopters and 43 vehicles, as well as equipment for transporting material and personnel. . The governments of other states, such as São Paulo and Santa Catarina, also offered help.
Lula shared on social media the conversation he had with Leite, announced his visit to the state and stated that eight Armed Forces helicopters are ready to support rescue efforts for stranded families, but are unable to take off due to weather conditions.
md/cn (EBC, ots)
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